The Troodos Mountains at a glance
Troodos is the high, forested region in the centre of the island. It is the cool escape from the coast in summer and the place for snow and skiing in winter. Villages sit at different heights and in different districts, so the trip you plan depends on where you start.
Three things bring most visitors: the villages, the painted churches and the walks through the pine forest. You can see a village and a church in one day. A hike such as the Kalidonia trail fits well on a second day.
Villages: Omodos, Kakopetria and Lefkara
Each village has a different character, and they lie in different parts of the mountains. Omodos is in the Limassol region, Kakopetria in the Solea valley, and Lefkara at the south-eastern edge of the range, in the Larnaca district. Lefkara is not in the high core of Troodos, so do not plan it as a stop between mountain churches.
| Village | Where | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Omodos | Limassol region, about 800 m, 42 km from Limassol | Wine village with a square, a wine press and the Timios Stavros monastery |
| Kakopetria | Solea valley | Protected old core with traditional houses; Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis is about 5 km away |
| Lefkara (Pano and Kato) | Larnaca district, about 650 m, 43 km from Larnaca | Lace embroidery and silver filigree |
Our picks: Troodos Mountains
A guided day in the villages, a jeep tour and a food and wine day with meze lunch.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Troodos food and wine tasting day with meze lunch
Hotel transfer, water, local tastings, a winery visit with wine tasting and a meze lunch are included. The listing shows no exclusions.
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Troodos jeep tour with wine tasting
Jeep transport with a guide, hotel pickup in Paphos and a wine tasting are included.
Check availability →Troodos villages guided day trip from Paphos
A guide, an air-conditioned bus, transfer from selected Paphos hotels and a wine tasting are included. Food, drinks, water and tips are not.
Check availability →Troodos and village tours
Day trips into the mountains with village stops, wine and churches, with live prices and availability.
The painted churches of Troodos
UNESCO lists ten small churches in the region for their wall paintings. They are still used for worship, and UNESCO describes entry as free. Each church has its own opening schedule, so do not assume that two of them open at the same time.
- Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis
- Agios Ioannis Lambadistis
- Panagia Phorviotissa (Asinou)
- Panagia tou Araka
- Panagia Moutoulla
- Archangelos Michael (Pedoulas)
- Timios Stavros (Pelendri)
- Panagia Podithou
- Stavros Agiasmati
- Metamorfosis tou Sotiros (Palaichori)
For the hours of Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis (free entry, closed on public holidays):
| Period | Tuesday to Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|
| 16 April to 15 September | 10:00–13:00 and 14:00–17:30 | 11:00–16:30 |
| 16 September to 15 April | 10:00–16:30 | 11:00–16:30 |
Monday is not listed as a visiting day. Panagia tou Araka lies between Lagoudera and Saranti and has free entry as well. Check the current timetable before you go, especially for the smaller churches.
Mount Olympos and winter in Troodos
Olympos, also called Chionistra, rises to 1,952 m. The tourism portal describes snow and skiing in winter. Conditions change from year to year, so check snow reports and road conditions before you drive up in winter. Do not count on reaching the very summit.
Mountain temperatures differ a lot from the coast. The Department of Meteorology's mountain station at Prodromos averages 6.3 °C by day and 0.7 °C at night in January, with 150 mm of rain. In July it averages 27.9 °C by day and 18.2 °C at night. These are long-term normals for 1981–2010, an older reference period, but they show the gap. Bring a warm layer even in summer evenings and a rain jacket in winter. For coastal climate and seasons, read the best time to visit Cyprus.
The Kalidonia trail to the waterfall
A linear forest trail beside the Krios Potamos, rated difficulty 3 on the official scale.
Length and time
The trail is 3 km one way and takes about 1.5 hours. It is a linear route, not a loop, so plan how you get back. The 3 km is not a round trip.
Where it starts
The start is above Platres, at Psilodentro or at the upper access near the Troodos-Platres road. The path follows the river down to the waterfall.
Height difference
The upper start is at 1,571 m and the lower end at 1,238 m. Walked in the opposite direction, the path climbs. Do not expect an easy, step-free family walk.
Before you go
Wear shoes with grip and carry water. The UK government lists elevated wildfire risk from April to October across Cyprus (travel advice updated August 2026), so follow any forest warnings you see.
Getting around and where to base yourself
Villages are spread out across the range, and a rental car gives you the most freedom.
Cars drive on the left in Cyprus. Allow extra time on mountain roads. Omodos is 42 km from Limassol and Lefkara is 43 km from Larnaca, so both fit into a day from the coast. If you prefer to sleep in the mountains, our where to stay in Cyprus page explains how the village areas differ.
Troodos Mountains: frequently asked questions
How many painted churches are on the UNESCO list?
Ten. They are small churches in the Troodos region, listed together as one series. They are still in religious use.
Is entry to the painted churches free?
UNESCO describes entry as free. Opening times differ from church to church, so check the current timetable of the one you want to see.
Is Lefkara in the Troodos Mountains?
It lies on the south-eastern edge of the range, in the Larnaca district, at about 650 m. It is known for lace embroidery and silver filigree.
How long is the Kalidonia trail?
It is 3 km one way, about 1.5 hours, and runs from near Platres down along the Krios Potamos to the waterfall. Because it is linear, the way back is a separate plan.
Can I see snow in Troodos?
The tourism portal describes snow and skiing around Mount Olympos in winter. Snow cover varies, so check conditions before you travel.
Do I need a car?
A rental car is the most flexible way to link villages and churches. Drive on the left and allow extra time.